Before his eyes loomed the forms of the two inmates of the Murano convent who had been friends in their love for him.

In conjunction they had bestowed upon him hours of incomparable sweetness.

When Olivo, in a whisper, began to speak of the strict discipline imposed upon this sisterhood--once they were professed, the nuns must never appear unveiled before a man, and they were vowed to perpetual silence--a smile flitted across Casanova's face.
The Abbess suddenly emerged from the gloom, and was standing in their midst.

In silence she saluted her guests, and with an exaggerated reverence of her veiled head acknowledged Casanova's expressions of gratitude for the admission of himself, a stranger.

But when Marcolina wished to kiss her hand, the Abbess gathered the girl in her arms.